2023 Year-in-Review: Restaurants, Eateries and More Pt.2

After three years of Covid uncertainty, 2023 was a nice dose of normality in Beijing. And what a year it’s been! In our 2023 Year-in-Review we’re taking a look back at the happenings in the capital from this year that was.

Following on from our first post of new openings, we’ll now be taking a look at even more new places that opened up. 

THE BOX

Shopping center, events, and lifestyle space THE BOX has caused quite a stir since it opened earlier this year.  With a focus on “youth culture” it focuses on up-and-coming brands, hip hop, street fashion, and more. Holding regular events including this year’s first ever CHEERS Wine Fest and an interactive Barbie exhibition, we’re excited to see what next year will bring. 

THE BOX Youth Energy Center 朝外年轻力中心
12 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District, 朝阳区朝阳门外大街12号
Hours: 11am-9pm
Phone: 010 8563 7661

Poupée Café and Bistro

Located in THE BOX, French eatery Poupée is part bistro and part crêperie and boy are their crêpes good! You can either enjoy them in the restaurant or get them to take away from a hatch on the side. They’ve got savory ones like Ham, Cheese and Sour Crème (RMB 48), Salami and Cheese (RMB 54) or sweet ones such as Nuts Chocolate (RMB 34) or Oreo Chocolate (RMB 36). If you're after something more substantial they have a range of French dishes on their bistro menu.

Poupée Café and Bistro
12 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District, 朝阳区朝阳门外大街12号
Hours: 10am-10pm
Phone: 187 0139 5637

Roots Café & Culture 

A new concept created by Tinashe Chidodo in collaboration with four others, RC&C Lifestyle Hub officially launched in July this year. It was created with the aim of hosting cultural and artistic leisure activities and exhibitions on a regular basis. With an event space located in event Shang 8 Design and Creative Park this year saw them host a number of successful events like date nights, cook outs, markets and more. To stay up to date on their events you can follow their official WeChat account by scanning the QR code below.

Roots Café & Culture
Shang 8 Design and Creative Park 尚8设计+创意园 1 Shengoucun, Chaoyang District, 朝阳区-深沟村1号

Greek Freak 

Located along Xindong Lu, Greek Freak brings authentic Greek Gyros to the capital. You can choose from either Chicken (RMB 33/wrap, RMB 39/plate), Pork (RMB 36/wrap, RMB 52/plate) or a Chicken & Pork Plate (RMB 48).They also have Hungarian Goulash Soup (RMB 48)  and a range of sides such as Hummus (RMB 22) or Calamari (RMB 36). 

Greek Freak 希腊怪人
14 Xindong Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳 区新东路14号
Hours: noon-11pm
Phone: 133 7011 6102

Eastend Grocery

Opening up next to Apollo and run by the same amazing team, Eastend Grocery is a deli style restaurant with a focus on charcuterie and cheese. They recently updated their menu adding new sandwiches – you can now choose from Baguette (RMB 98 for half, RMB 188 for whole), Panini (RMB 78-98), Ciabatta (RMB 108 each) – and a range of pasta. 

Eastend Grocery
1/F, Pacific Century Place (outside West Gate), A2 Gongti Beilu
朝阳区工人体育场北路甲2号盈科中心1层
Hours: Daily, 11am-10pm
Phone: 010 8599 9116

Fukumimi Beyond

Only opening last month, Fukumimi Beyond is a new yakitori restaurant from the team behind Beyond Yakitori in partnership with Japanese restaurant group Kuuraku. It’s located in JinShang Yuan and brings Ginza to Beijing with bar style seating facing the open kitchen and smaller, more private booths tucked away on the right side. Some must try dishes are their signature Fukumimi Yaki (RMB 25) that features chicken thigh wrapped with skin, Chicken Thigh with Green Onion (RMB 16), and Toasted Mackerel (RMB 38) which is blowtorched at the table in front of you.

Fukumimi Beyond
Room 108, JinSgYuan, 20, Xinyuan Lixi, Xindong Luhan
新东路新源里西20号金尚源大厦一层108
Hours: 6-10pm
Phone: 185 0044 9033

Meili & Mad 

Another restaurant that only opened last month is Meili & Mad. Located in Sanyuanqiao’s Galleria Shopping Center it’s Part restaurant, bakery and deli and has a menu of Nordic-Asian fusion food designed by Talib Hudda, the head chef and owner of Refer. Some standout dishes are the Miso Roasted Halibut (RMB 258), X.O. Blue Mussels (RMB 198), Slow Cooked Pork Rib (RMB 188). They have a variety of baked goods that can be eaten in or taken away and the Cinnamon Rolls (RMB 32 eat in, RMB 22 takeaway) are some of the best in Beijing.

Meili & Mad
1st Floor, Galleria Shopping Center, 5 Shuguang Xili Jia, Chaoyang District
朝阳区曙光西里甲5号凤凰汇1层
Hours: 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-10pm
Phone: 010 6413 0688

Circle Burger

From the same people behind Circle Urban comes Circle Burger, a brand new burger-tastic addition to the capital. Our personal recommendation is the green apple coleslaw-topped Pulled Pork Burger (RMB 48) which proved super popular at this year’s Juicy Burger Fest. Other burgers to try are the Classic Cheeseburger (RMB 36) and the Crispy Onion Chimichurri Beef Burger (RMB 50). 

Circle Burger 圆场汉堡
B1, Zhengda Center, 20 Jinhe East, Chaoyang District, 朝阳区金和东路20号正大中心B1
Hours: 8am-8pm
Phone: 158 0145 8389

Punk Burger

Another new burger spot, Punk Burger opened up recently in the CBD. The venue has a diner inspired vibe with a bright red theme complete with booths and bar style seating. Their menu keeps things simple with offerings like the Beef Burger (RMB 38), the Spicy Fried Chicken Burger (RMB 30) or Chicken Nuggets (RMB 20). 

Punk Burger
Room 0667D, 1st Floor, Building 6, Jianwai Soho, Chaoyang District, 朝阳区建外soho 6号楼1层0667D 
Hours: 11am-8.30pm
Phone: 133 1128 2297

Malo’s

Opened by Chef Simone Thompson, Malo’s is located next to Golden Weasel (nugget’s former location), they occassionally serve food at the bar as well as host catering events and are also available for personal orders. They have a menu that alters each week which features things like  Artisanal Dips (RMB 50-180), small bites like Sausage Rolls (RMB 55) and more. If you’d like to get in touch with Malo’s for catering, private dinners, and special events, you can contact Thompson via her WeChat (ID: SLThompson12345).

Malo’s
8 Huayuan Hutong (next to Golden Weasel), Dongcheng District
东城区花园胡同8号院(醉鼠酒吧旁边)

Rabbit Bloom

Opening two spots in the capital, Rabbit Bloom has a burger focused location in the CBD and a bakery focused location up in Jiuxianqiao. At the bakery branch, they have sweet treats like Cherry and Chocolate Cake (RMB 30/slice, RMB 288/whole) and Taro Cake (RMB 14/two slices, RMB 268/whole). Their burger branch is completely vegetarian and has offerings like the Plant-Based Fish Burger (RMB 48) and the Vegetarian Steak Burger (RMB 48). 

Rabbit Bloom (Bakery) 兔子花开·鲜花饼诞糕
Room 103, Bldg 89, 10 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District, 1F 朝阳区酒仙桥路10号89幢一层103室
Hours: 10.30am-7pm
Phone: 185 1366 5660

Rabbit Bloom (Burger) 兔子花开汉堡
1/F, Hengqin Life Insurance Bldg, 108 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District, 朝阳区建国路108号横琴人寿大厦一楼大堂
Hours: 10.30am-7.30pm
Phone:136 5136 9929

READ: 2023 Year-in-Review: Restaurants, Eateries and More Pt.1

Images: Uni You, Katie Coy, courtesy of the venues